Great solidarity among tsunami survivors in Karinkal, say missionary sisters
Karinkal (AsiaNews) The tsunami has roused a wave of compassion and empathy in Karinkal. Even those who lost everything are volunteering to help the needy, this according to Sister Geia, a missioner of the Immaculata in Karinkal, in Tamil Nadu (India hardest-hit state).
The sisters are part of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). In Karinkal, they provide nursing and health care assistance to the injured, vaccination to the displaced and help and comfort to residents in outlying tsunami-affected villages.
In fact, the missionary sisters run the only hospital left untouched by the big ocean surge. It is the Nirmala Hospital, at six km from Colachel, India's southernmost point.
PIME has launched a fund raising campaign to help the hospital help tsunami victims.
"These days we have had about 400 people come in because of their injuries", says Sr Geia, who is one of the twelve Indian nurses working at the hospital. Another 16 sisters are expected to arrive from neighbouring areas to help out.
"Those who are treated here are then hosted in homes near the hospital," she adds. "We also vaccinate people, for free of course."
Sr Sebasti Amali Hirudaya also works at the hospital. She casts another light on what tsunami victims are going through pointing out that "the slightly hurt cannot go back to their homes because they were destroyed. And if they go to the beach not wanting to miss getting something when aid is distributed, they are sent back by the police who are concerned with the possibility of new quakes and tsunamis."
Despite it all, Sr Geia insists that "there has never been as much solidarity among local people".
"They help each other. Even those who have lost their home and have nothing left are helping the injured and the needy".
Some of the sisters coming to Karinkal will soon visit outlying villages bringing food, medicines, and clothes. (LF)
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